Find or follow the latest news.

Running to Cure Ovarian Cancer

Erin Clark, M.D., with her daughter, Annie at the Wasatch 100 finish line in 2012.

“Now, it’s personal.” It’s one reason Erin Clark, M.D., University of Utah department of obstetrics and gynecology, says she is running for the fight against ovarian cancer. Although progress has been made, our mothers, wives, sisters and daughters are still dying from ovarian cancer.

On September 6 Clark will participate in the Wasatch 100 Run. It is a 100-mile endurance run that stretches from East Mountain Wilderness Park to Soldier Hollow in Summit County, Utah. This will be Clark’s third year running in support of ovarian cancer research- but each year the significance deepens.

This year Clark will once again run for one of her peers, Janice Byrne, M.D., a physician in maternal-fetal medicine at the University of Utah. In 2011 Byrne was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Byrne was successfully treated at University of Utah’s Huntsman Cancer Institute. “With the support of friends and family and our gynecologic and medical oncologist, I am able to continue doing what I love- taking care of patients,” said Byrne.

“It’s a very emotional thing. This cause is near and dear to my heart,” said Clark. “We see patients with ovarian cancer everyday but when one of your own is affected, it has a special meaning.”

Staff and patients at University of Utah Health Care are teaming up to support Clark as she runs in honor of cancer survivors and fighters, including her colleague Dr. Byrne.

If you would like to help Clark as she traverses the Wasatch Mountains, you can show your support by sponsoring her on the University gift webpage. Make sure to click ‘In honor of’ and enter ‘Erin Clark.’ To ensure your donation is contributed to the ovarian cancer fund and is linked to the Wasatch 100 fundraising efforts click on ‘add special instructions’ and enter ‘Support Erin.’ Your donation will benefit the Susan Sandoval Fund for Ovarian Cancer and supports ovarian cancer research at the University of Utah Health Sciences and the Huntsman Center Institute.

September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness month and for the first time this year, Governor Gary Herbert has declared September Ovarian Cancer/Gynecologic Cancer month in Utah. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2013, about 22,240 new cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed and 14,030 women will die of ovarian cancer in the United States.

About the author:

Marissa Villasenor is a Public Relations Specialist in the Office of Public Affairs at University of Utah Health Care.